Kazi Majuu Program Achieves Major Milestones, PS Roseline Njogu Reports

 

The Kazi Majuu program, designed to connect Kenyans to job opportunities abroad, has been a major success, according to Principal Secretary for the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu. In a recent address, Njogu shared some of the significant achievements of the initiative, highlighting its positive impact on the country's labor market.

“This has been a great success,” Njogu said. “We started by developing the Global Labor Market Strategy, which is the Government’s response to unemployment. We’ve been working to tap into international markets where the immense talent of our people can be utilized.”

The program, spearheaded by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs in collaboration with the State Department for Labor and Skills Development, aims to structure how Kenyans are facilitated into the global labor market while ensuring their protection. Since its launch, over 180,000 individuals have secured employment abroad, with a notable rise in remittance contributions from the diaspora.

“In just the past year, remittance numbers have risen to USD 4.9 billion, up from USD 4.18 billion,” Njogu added. “This is now the largest source of foreign exchange, surpassing earnings from tea, coffee, tourism, and horticulture.”

While acknowledging the program’s success, Njogu cautioned about the rise of fraudsters and scammers exploiting Kenyans eager to work abroad. These criminals often masquerade as job agents, tricking hopeful candidates into paying large sums of money for non-existent opportunities.

“One of the major concerns we see comes from the activities of these scammers,” Njogu said. “They promise jobs in places like Qatar, Thailand, Malaysia, or even Canada, and demand huge amounts of money. Unfortunately, many Kenyans fall victim to these fraudsters, leaving them without jobs and their hard-earned money gone.”

Njogu also warned about the increasing threat of human trafficking as conmen shift tactics. “These scammers are now using fake job offers for positions like IT specialists or translators. They conduct fake Zoom interviews and issue paperwork, only for the victims to later find themselves in illegal situations, particularly in Southeast Asia.”

One disturbing trend involves luring individuals with promises of high-paying jobs, only for them to be trafficked to places like Myanmar under the pretext of tourist visas. “Once they arrive in Myanmar, they realize they’ve been duped into a situation where they are forced to perform online scams,” Njogu said. “Last year alone, we rescued over 150 Kenyans from these trafficking rings.”

The PS emphasized that there are no legitimate job opportunities in Thailand and urged Kenyans to remain vigilant. "We are working closely with authorities, including the DCI, to address these issues and ensure that Kenyans are protected,” Njogu concluded.

The government continues to prioritize the safe employment of its citizens abroad, while also taking steps to combat human trafficking and other forms of exploitation.

January 23, 2025